A drain stench can occasionally be the result of plumbing issues. Many things, such as a toilet, drain, sink, or a sewer, might emit an offensive odour. A sewage odour in the home can be uncomfortable as well as unhealthy.
Sewer gas is a result of the decomposition of human waste. Backdrafting sewer gas is frequently compared to the smell of rotten eggs. When a building experiences backdrafting, air or gases are drawn inside by negative air pressure.
Hydrogen sulphide poses the greatest danger from sewage gas. Sewer gas may pose a number of health hazards, including:
- eye irritation,
- cough
- a painful throat
- fluid buildup inside the lungs
Many sewage or drainage systems may be impacted by sewer gas. The smell of sewer gas coming from the toilet is a regular complaint. People may discover that their sink, vent pipe, or other plumbing systems also smell, depending on the root of the problem.
1. Could it be the toilet’s wax ring?
The wax ring of a toilet is used by plumbers to seal the drain. If the house smells like a drain, it’s conceivable that one or more of the toilets’ wax rings are broken.
It’s probable that the wax ring on the drain is to blame if the toilet smells like sewage gas. If this is the case, changing the wax ring will eliminate the sewage gas odour from the home.
2. Is my vent pipe to blame?
The vent pipe aids in plumbing system pressure management. They also aid in transferring scents from a house or other building outside.
Sewer gases may leak if a vent pipe isn’t working properly, such as if it has a crack or was installed improperly. In this situation, the vent pipe needs to be fixed or reinstalled to solve the issue.
3. Is the kitchen sink to blame?
People might not think they have a sewer gas stench coming from their kitchen, but many plumbing systems can be affected by a drain smell.
In some instances, the overflow system may have grown dirty or become contaminated in some other way, producing an odour. In this instance, it is doubtful that the drain stench in the house is due to sewage gas; instead, mould or mildew are more likely to blame.
In the event that the scent is being caused by the kitchen sink, cleaning the overflow system will probably reduce or eliminate it.
4. Can it be the shower?
Similar to the kitchen sink, the shower might be a less frequent source of the drain smell in the home. It is less likely that sewage gases are to blame if the drain scent is coming from the shower.
As with many other floor drains, it is possible that an accumulation of debris inside a shower drain led to the development of an odour. Different body oils, shampoos, and other liquids frequently flow in showers, as opposed to sinks. This could result in a buildup of bacteria that produces odours.
If the sewer gas smell in the shower is being caused by this, properly cleaning the area with a cleaner and, in ideal circumstances, removing the drain to clean outside of the shower, may assist.
5. It can be a blocked vent.
There are other ways a vent might make the house smell like a drain besides being cracked or placed incorrectly. Another possibility is that there is a blockage.
A vent obstruction can be caused by rust and other types of corrosion, which deteriorate with time. Another possibility is that there is a physical obstruction, such as a pile of leaves or other debris. The blockage could happen in the winter in some places with a lot of snowfall. Additionally, it’s possible that animals, like birds, will use the space above the vent to build their nests.
In any case, there are numerous reasons why an air vent can become blocked, but the cure is frequently straightforward. The vent can be made to flow freely by removing the obstruction or replacing any rusted vents or vent pieces.
If a sewage gas odour is coming from a blocked plumbing vent, removing the blockage will reduce or eliminate theodour.
How can you eliminate sewer gas odour on your own?
Many of the aforementioned treatments can be tried by individuals, but in some cases hiring a blocked drain plumber in Sydney’s North Shore is required to safely and successfully get rid of a sewage gas smell in the home.
In most instances, it’s safe when people use straightforward cleaning techniques to try and get rid of the drain odour. However, if there is a chance of serious plumbing damage or if technical know-how is required, as in the case of a cracked vent, consumers should seek professional assistance.
Using professionals not only cures issues permanently and more successfully, but also to ensure the dependability and integrity of their plumbing systems.
